South Africa has pledged its support for Nigeria’s bid to join the G20, with President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing strong backing for the initiative.
“Nigeria is a sister country, and it has our full support,” Ramaphosa stated, emphasising the importance of amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage.
This endorsement comes as Nigeria seeks South Africa’s cooperation to secure full membership in the G20 and BRICS, along with participation in the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB).
Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for the Nigerian presidency, confirmed these efforts in a statement on Monday.
The BRICS bloc, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, added South Africa in 2010.
The group, accounting for approximately 37% of global GDP, has recently expanded to include six more countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Argentina (which later declined). Nigeria aims to join this alliance to leverage its economic and diplomatic influence.
At the September 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, President Bola Tinubu asserted that Nigeria’s inclusion would strengthen the group.
“Nigeria is poised, willing and able to be a major player in this family of the G20 and in shaping a new world, without whom, the family will remain incomplete,” Tinubu said, highlighting Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy, market, and democracy.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, further appealed for South Africa’s support during the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town. She cited Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping and President Tinubu’s efforts to resolve conflicts in Sudan.
South African Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor affirmed her country’s commitment to representing Africa’s interests during its G20 presidency and acknowledged Nigeria’s aspirations.
The outcomes of the BNC ministerial session will be presented to Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa during the commission’s presidential session.
